Bandstand was inspired to commission this poem, as a proud sponsor of Great Ormond Street Hospital’s 18th Christmas Carol Concert.

The Christmas Carol Concert is a highlight of Great Ormond Street Hospital's Children’s Charity events calendar and takes in the beautiful surroundings of St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge.

The money raised from the event will go towards their 'Room to Breathe' appeal, which will raise vital funds for the redevelopment of the Respiratory ward at Great Ormond Street Hospital that’s due to open later this year.

Respiratory conditions are the most common cause of illness in children and Great Ormond Street Hospital provides one of the largest respiratory services in the UK.

Their expert clinicians treat patients ranging from premature babies, some weighing less than a bag of sugar, to teenagers, from the UK and across the World. Many suffer from life-long and life-limiting conditions such as cystic fibrosis, complex asthma and respiratory failure due to severe infection.

The current facilities are desperately out of date and capacity is limited. They urgently need a new ward to house one of the most in demand services in the hospital; for now, and for generations to come.

Please give as much as you can spare for this fantastic cause, and for those that are unable to spend this season at home with family and loved ones.

Thank you and a Merry Christmas.

The bandstand team.